Stevia plant named ‘LOSTE1517’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Stevia cultivar named ‘LOSTE1517’ which is characterized by the combination of a compact plant size, vigorous growth, improved cold tolerance, a high concentration sweetening compounds in the foliage, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Stevia rebaudiana(Bertoni) Bertoni.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Stevia disclosed hereinhas been given the variety denomination ‘LOSTE1517’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Stevia cultivar ‘LOSTE1517’ is the result of a plannedbreeding program carried out by the inventor at his greenhouse inMariahout, the Netherlands. In May of 2013, the inventor performed acontrolled cross-pollination of the seed parent, Stevia ‘3662/12’ (notpatented), with Stevia ‘3668/12’ (not patented), the pollen parent. InMarch of 2014, a seedling that exhibited potential commercial value wasselected from all other progeny. The seedling was given the referencecode “5998/14” and allowed to grow to a mature size, for furtherevaluation. In the summer of 2014, the candidate was asexuallypropagated using softwood cuttings to assess the stability of the uniquecharacteristics for which the candidate was originally selected. InApril of 2015, a final selection was made and the new cultivar was giventhe name ‘LOSTE1517’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘LOSTE1517’, by way ofsoftwood stem cuttings, was first performed in the summer of 2014 at theinventor's greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands and has since beenfurther cloned using meristematic tissue culture propagation. Throughfive subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar haveproven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LOSTE1517’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘LOSTE1517’. These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘LOSTE1517’ as a new and distinct Stevia cultivar:

-   -   1. Stevia ‘LOSTE1517’ exhibits a compact growth habit; and    -   2. Stevia ‘LOSTE1517’ exhibits vigorous growth and free        branching; and    -   3. Stevia ‘LOSTE1517’ exhibits foliage with a high tolerance to        cold temperatures; and    -   4. Stevia ‘LOSTE1517’ exhibits foliage with a high concentration        of steviol glycosides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of‘LOSTE1517’ grown in a greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands. Thisplant, grown in an 11 cm nursery container, is approximately 8 weeks oldfrom a rooted young plant.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of‘LOSTE1517’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescenceand flowers of ‘LOSTE1517’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

With the exception of the inflorescence and flower descriptions, thefollowing observations and measurements made in January of 2018 describeaverages from a sample set of six specimens of 8 week old ‘LOSTE1517’plants grown in 11 cm nursery pots in a greenhouse in Mariahout, theNetherlands. Plants were produced without supplemental light, undershade cloth, using drip irrigation at regular intervals, and fertilizedas required using a fertilizer with an analysis of 18-18-18-5. Nochemical treatments of any kind were utilized.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘LOSTE1517’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘LOSTE1517’ and comparisons with the parentplants and most similar commercial Stevia cultivar known to the inventorare provided below.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; broad upright.        -   Plant shape.—Compact, ovate.        -   Average height from base to top of foliage.—22.0 cm.        -   Average height from base to top of the floral plane.—21.7            cm.        -   Average spread.—Average of 13.1 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.        -   Propagation details.—Asexual propagation is accomplished by            both softwood stem cuttings and also by mericloning.        -   Time to initiate roots.—After deflasking the micropropagule,            approximately 15 days are required for the propagule to            initiate roots at 20 degrees Celsius.        -   Time to produce a marketable 17 cm potted            plant.—Approximately 14 weeks.        -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither            resistance nor susceptibility to typical Stevia rebaudiana            pests and diseases has been observed.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to at least USDA Zones 11            and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius;            moderate tolerance to rain; low tolerance to wind.-   Root system:    -   -   General.—Moderately dense rooting.        -   Dimensions, mature roots.—18.0 cm long with a diameter of            0.1 cm, on average.        -   Texture.—Non-fleshy; slightly fibrous.        -   Color.—Greyed-yellow, nearest to a mixture of RSH 161B and            161C.-   Stems:    -   -   Branching habit.—Main stems grow from the base, freely            branching with lateral branches.        -   Number of main stems per plant.—1.        -   Number of lateral branches per plant.—6.        -   Appearance and shape.—Rounded.        -   Length of lateral branches.—11.9 cm.        -   Diameter of lateral branches.—Averaging 0.175 cm at the            widest point.        -   Internode length on lateral branches.—3.5 cm.        -   Luster.—Moderately glossy.        -   Attitude of lateral branches.—Average angle is approximately            30 degrees from vertical.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, RHS 144A.        -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, RHS 144A.        -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, RHS 144A.        -   Color of oldest wood.—Yellow-green, a mixture of RHS 146C            and 146D.        -   Pubescence.—Stems are densely covered with a soft            pubescence; average length of hairs is 0.1 cm; hairs are            colored white to green-white, a mixture of RHS NN155B and            157D.-   Foliage:    -   -   General description.—Foliage is edible with a very sweet            taste due to the high concentration of steviosides.        -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Number of leaves per lateral branch.—8.        -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 4.6 cm long and 1.6 cm wide, on            average. Shape — Oblanceolate to obovate. Aspect — Slightly            curved downwards. Apex — Acute to bluntly acute. Base — Long            attenuate. Margin — Serrate. Pubescence, adaxial surface —            Moderately to densely covered with very short appressed            hairs to approximately 0.3 mm in length; hairs colored white            to green-white, RHS NN155B to 157D. Texture and luster of            adaxial surface — Slightly glossy. Pubescence, abaxial            surface — Moderately to densely covered with very short            hairs to approximately 0.3 mm in length; hairs colored white            to green- white, a mixture of RHS NN155B and 157D. Texture            and luster of abaxial surface — Very slightly glossy. Color            — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to a            mixture of RHS 137B and 137C. Juvenile foliage, abaxial            surface — Green, RHS 137D. Mature foliage, adaxial surface —            Nearest to in between green, RHS NN137A, and yellow-green,            RHS 147A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,            RHS 147B. Venation — Pattern — Pinnate. Color, adaxial            surface — Yellow-green, RHS 146B. Color, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, RHS 146B.        -   Sheath.—Not sheathing.        -   Petiole.—Length — Average of 0.25 cm. Width — Petioles are            flattened; average horizontal width is 0.2 cm and the            average vertical width is 0.125 cm. Texture — Pubescent.            Moderately covered with very short hairs to approximately            0.3 mm in length; hairs colored white to green-white, a            mixture of RHS NN155B and 157D. Luster — Slightly glossy.            Strength — Moderately strong. Color, adaxial surface —            Yellow-green, RHS 144B. Color, abaxial surface —            Yellow-green, RHS 144B.        -   Dry weight of glycosides.—Stevioside — 38.4 mg/g.            Rebaudioside A — 59.8 mg/g. Others — 8.6 mg/g. Total steviol            glycosides — 106.8 mg/g.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Terminally and axially borne            capitula in a compound cyme.        -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.        -   Time to flower.—10 months.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—1 capitula, axially            or terminally.        -   Quantity of flowers per plant.—1 capitula.        -   Quantity of flower buds per plant.—9 capitula.        -   Quantity of flowers and flower buds per plant.—10 capitula.        -   Inflorescence height.—1.2 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—1.0 cm.        -   Peduncle.—Length — 0.6 cm. Diameter — 0.08 cm. Strength —            Moderately strong. Texture — Moderately to densely covered            with a soft pubescence; hairs with an average length of 0.1            cm; colored green-white, nearest to RHS 157D. Luster —            Matte. Color — Yellow-green, RHS 144B.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Oblanceolate.        -   Height.—0.6 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Texture.—Moderately pubescent with very short hairs, colored            yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D.        -   Luster.—Matte.        -   Color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower type.—Composite; capitula.        -   Flowering habit.—Moderately flowering.        -   Aspect.—Upright to slightly outward.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Flower longevity.—One week, on average.        -   Persistence.—Persistent.        -   Disc diameter.—0.15 cm.        -   Receptacle shape.—Inverted triangular.        -   Receptacle height.—0.05 cm.        -   Receptacle diameter.—0.05 cm.        -   Receptacle color.—Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144A.        -   Ray florets.—None present.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity of florets per capitula — Five. Shape            — Tubular. Arrangement — Radial symmetry; one whorl; florets            are unfused. Attitude — Upright. Length — 1.0 cm. Diameter,            including stigmas — 0.6 cm, on average. Diameter, excluding            stigmas — 0.5 cm, on average. Color, upper and lower            surfaces — White, in between RHS 155C and 155D. Apex —            Acute. Base — Fused into a tube. Margin — Entire; not            undulated. Texture and luster, upper surface — Smooth,            velvety and matte. Texture and luster, lower surface —            Smooth, velvety and matte. Color, when opening, upper            surface — White, nearest to NN155D; throat is yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 150D; tube is colored slightly darker,            nearest to a mixture of RHS 145B and 145C. Color, when            opening, lower surface — White, nearest to NN155D; throat is            yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D; tube is colored slightly            darker, nearest to a mixture of RHS 145B and 145C. Color,            when fully opened, upper surface — White, nearest to NN155D;            throat is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D; tube is colored            slightly darker, nearest to a mixture of RHS 145B and 145C.            Color, when fully opened, lower surface — White, nearest to            NN155D; throat is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D; tube is            colored slightly darker, nearest to a mixture of RHS 145B            and 145C. Venation, when fully opened, upper surface —            White, nearest to NN155C; throat is yellow-green, nearest to            RHS 150D; tube is colored slightly darker, nearest to RHS            145B. Venation, when fully opened, lower surface — White,            nearest to NN155C; throat is yellow-green, nearest to RHS            150D; tube is colored slightly darker, nearest to RHS 145B.        -   Involucre; phyllaries.—Arrangement — Rotate; one whorl            around the disc. Quantity — Five. Length — 0.7 cm. Width —            0.2 cm. Shape — Narrow elliptic. Apex — Acute. Base —            Cuneate. Margin — Entire. Texture, upper surface — Very            sparsely pubescent; average length of hairs is 0.05 cm;            color is green-white, nearest to RHS 157D. Texture, lower            surface — Moderately pubescent; average length of hairs is            0.05 cm; color is green-white, nearest to RHS 157D. Luster,            upper surface — Matte. Luster, lower surface — Matte. Color,            upper surface — Green, RHS 138A. Color, lower surface —            Green, RHS 138A.        -   Pedicels.—Length — 0.2 cm. Diameter — 0.08 cm. Attitude;            angle to the peduncle — 15 degrees. Strength — Moderately            strong. Texture — Densely covered with a soft pubescence;            hairs with an average length of 0.1 cm; color of hairs is            green-white, nearest to RHS 157D. Luster — Matte. Color —            Yellow-green, RHS 146B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen quantity — 5. Filament length — 0.3 cm.            Filament color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145D. Anther            shape — Linear. Anther length — 0.15 cm. Anther width —            0.03 cm. Anther color — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 153D.            Pollen, presence — Low. Pollen color — Yellow, nearest to            11D.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil quantity — One. Pistil length — 0.7 cm.            Style length — 0.5 cm. Style color — White, nearest to RHS            NN155D. Stigma shape — Cleft, decurrent. Stigma length —            0.2 cm. Stigma diameter — 0.6 cm. Stigma color — White,            nearest to RHS NN155C. Ovary color — Yellow-green, RHS 144C.-   Seed and fruit: Not observed to date.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LOSTE1517’ may be distinguished from itsseed parent, Stevia ‘3662/12’, by the characteristics described in Table1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘LOSTE1517’ ‘3662/12’ Plant habit. More spreadingthan More erect than ‘3662/12’. ‘LOSTE1517’. Rebaudioside A content in59.8 mg/g. 49.2 mg/g. foliage, dry weight. Stevioside content in 38.4mg/g. 43.4 mg/g. foliage, dry weight. Total steviol glycoside 106.8mg/g. 100.5 mg/g. content of foliage, dry weight.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LOSTE1517’ may be distinguished from itspollen parent, Stevia ‘3668/12’, by the characteristics described inTable 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘LOSTE1517’ ‘3668/12’ Plant habit. Less basalbranching. More basal branching. Rebaudioside A content in 59.8 mg/g.29.8 mg/g. foliage, dry weight. Stevioside content in 38.4 mg/g. 65.8mg/g. foliage, dry weight. Total steviol glycoside 106.8 mg/g. 104.5mg/g. content of foliage, dry weight.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR STEVIA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LOSTE1517’ are most similar to thecommercial variety, Stevia rebaudiana ‘Candy’ (not patented). Acomparison of ‘LOSTE1517’ with ‘Candy’ is described in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘LOSTE1517’ ‘Candy’ Phenotypical stability Morestable and. Less stable and less and uniformity. uniform uniform. Planthabit. More compact. Less compact. Cold tolerance. Foliage is more coldFoliage is more sensitive tolerant. to cold temperatures. Foliage size.Larger than ‘Candy’. Smaller than ‘LOSTE1517’. Foliage color. Darkergreen. Lighter green. Internode length. Shorter than ‘Candy’. Longerthan ‘LOSTE1517’. Rebaudioside A content 18.7 mg/g. 29.8 mg/g. infoliage, dry weight. Stevioside content in 72.8 mg/g. 65.8 mg/g.foliage, dry weight. Total steviol glycoside 94.8 mg/g. 104.5 mg/g.content of foliage, dry weight.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Stevia plantnamed ‘LOSTE1517’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.